New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announces increased penalties for texting while driving on May 31. Starting Friday, fines for distracted driving convictions are increasing.

Written by

John A. Corlett

Staring Friday, fines for texting, emailing and hand-held phone use while driving will get more expensive and put your license in jeopardy.

Fines for using mobile devices will increase to up to $230 and a violation will cost you a whopping five driver's license points. In addition, teen and probationary drivers, arguably those most prone to violating existing laws, now face 60-day license suspensions. That's one expensive text message!

But if that is what it takes to deter device-dependent drivers from this obviously dangerous behavior, then so be it. Laws against hand-held mobile phone ...